Recently in Washington

Last week the House passed H.R. 219, the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act to facilitate Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts and reduce costs by streamlining procedures at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).   The House also passed H.R. 152, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, which as amended included a further $50.7 billion in emergency funding for the Northeast United States following Hurricane Sandy.  Congressman Simpson supported H.R. 219 but opposed H.R. 152.

Simpson Cosponsors Balanced Budget Amendment

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is a cosponsor of H.J. Res.2, which proposes a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Offered by Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), the legislation would require a 3/5 vote of both the House and the Senate to allow spending to exceed receipts for that fiscal year, require 3/5 vote to increase the debt limit, direct the President to submit a balanced budget annually, and prohibit any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by a majority of each chamber by roll call vote.  It waives these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect. 

“As a supporter of the balanced budget amendment since I first came to Congress, and a long time member of the House Budget Committee, I can attest firsthand the value that a balanced budget requirement would have on the yearly budgeting process,” said Simpson.  “Over the past several years, the growth in government funding has far outpaced the growth of the American family budget.  Congress must answer the call of the American people to do what families in America are doing every day—figuring out what their priorities are and creating a responsible budget that reflects those priorities.”

Simpson’s Statement on Obama’s Gun Proposals

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson released the following statement after the Obama administration unveiled a set of new gun proposals, including 23 separate executive orders.

“I haven’t yet had a chance to fully review the many executive orders President Obama signed today, but I have long been concerned about the use of executive orders to push forward proposals that should be considered in Congress,” said Congressman Mike Simpson. “I will take time over the coming days to fully review each of the executive orders and consider them with the Constitution and the concerns of my constituents foremost in my mind.  I am not seeing any significant support among my constituents for new restrictions on gun rights nor am I seeing any momentum building in Congress for additional federal gun control measures.”

Crapo, Risch and Simpson Ask for Greek Yogurt Inclusion
Send Letter to USDA to Include Product in Nutritional Guidelines

Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Congressman Mike Simpson are asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to recognize Greek yogurt under their MyPlate nutrition guidelines.  In a letter to Secretary Vilsack, they point out that Greek yogurt has twice the protein and more calcium than regular yogurt, and is low in fat.

Besides recognizing Greek yogurt in MyPlate nutrition guides, which is part of the USDA food guidance system, the group also requested a pilot program be set up within the Children Nutrition programs to allow schools to receive credit for protein content when serving Greek yogurt.

“We urge the USDA to update the agency’s nutrition guides to reflect the many benefits of Greek yogurt.  Not only is it a great source of calcium, a serving of Greek yogurt has more protein than the same amount of beans. By allowing schools in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs to get credit for serving Greek yogurt, kids receive a healthy product and it is a positive economic impact for Idaho,” said the three members of Idaho’s congressional delegation.

In December of 2012, Chobani Yogurt opened the largest Greek yogurt processing plant in the world in Twin Falls. The new plant currently employs 300 workers with all of the milk for the yogurt production coming from Idaho dairy farms.  At full capacity, the Chobani plant in Idaho will produce 4.2 million cases of yogurt per week.

“The new Chobani plant is a big economic boost to the Twin Falls region and to the state.  As federally elected officials, we believe it is our duty to ask the USDA to add Greek yogurt, based on its great nutritional benefits.  The other big benefit is increasing jobs at the plant and on Idaho dairy farms as Greek yogurt becomes even more popular in the country,” the Idaho members added.

Joining the three members of Idaho’s delegation in signing the letter are Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY).  Chobani’s first plant operates in New Berlin, New York.

Floor Schedule

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22ND
On Tuesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for morning hour and 12:00 p.m. for legislative business.

H.R. 307 - Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Suspension, 40 Minutes of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers (MI) / Energy and Commerce Committee)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23RD
On Wednesday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected no later than 3:00 p.m.

Legislation Conditioning an Increase in the Nation's Debt Limit Upon Congress Passing a Budget

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24TH, AND FRIDAY, JANUARY 25TH
On Thursday and Friday, no votes are expected. 
 

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